https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:54:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you/page/2#post-1504936 Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:31:06 +0000 Suz 1504936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ETA, just to add -- on the rare occasions I do get to do in person shopping, I do not go into every store. No way. I hit my best bets and any that have appealing window displays. I never waste time (it is a waste, for me) in H&amp;M or the like -- unless I know that I want a specific item from there already, probably from looking at someone wearing it here. Or from an Angie recommendation.&nbsp;</p> <p>Actually, Angie recommendations are huge for me. Even though she often does her roundups from Nordstrom's and I can't shop there -- sometimes the items are also available elsewhere, and if she recommends them for my body type, that gives me a good place to start.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you/page/2#post-1504935 Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:28:45 +0000 Suz 1504935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really identify with what <b>Greyscale</b> said. I tend to stick to the tried-and-true stores that a). "get" me (size and style wise) and b). offer free delivery and returns (since almost all of my shopping has to be online). </p> <p>But like <b>Ummlila</b>, I also try to shop in person a bit when I'm able to frequent a city and try things on. And in that case, I sometimes just "scout." Try on, examine fabrics, look at real colours. I might or might not buy -- often they don't have my size. But seeing what is there and whether it might fit sets me up for possible later on-line ordering. And this is because, as <b>Greyscale</b> says, the store that "gets" me one season won't necessarily get me the next. (I'm right with her on Zara this year.) </p> <p>I do have a few tried-and-trues for sure. For me -- J. Crew for knits and tees and sometimes shirts and trousers/ jeans; Zara for trendier updates (but not this year. alas...); BR for wardrobe essentials; Club Monaco for the occasional "extra" or statement or slightly more luxe looking piece. I have just tried Aritzia this year for a few tops and was happy with service and quality of items, even though their brick and mortar stores have always, always, always left me both mystified and unsatisfied.&nbsp;</p> <p>Nordstrom's is good if I am visiting the US. But much less so now that our dollar is low.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think the "leave no stone unturned" thing is more for happy finds like <b>Ceit'</b>s belt (it happens if our eyes are open) and for "need this item now" (e.g. must have new dress to wear to friend's wedding). And also in answer to <b>Greyscale</b>'s observation. Retail changes every season. Just because a brand has worked for us for 3 years running doesn't mean it will work this year. If it doesn't that's not the time to despair, but to get out there and figure out which retailer does "get us" this year!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you/page/2#post-1504869 Fri, 12 Jun 2015 03:15:02 +0000 Desmo April 1504869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll leave no stone unturned within reason. I'm a plus size so I will at some point look at every store that offers my size. Some shopping centers don't have any stores that I can shop at. The single best mall in SoCal for plus sizes has a grand total of nine stores that carry my size. So hitting every option is much simpler for me. Take JC Penny for example. It is one of the stores that I can shop at in that mall but not my favorite so I'll make a sweep every few times I'm there but I don't hit it every time. I've gotten some pieces there that I like but it isn't worth a lot of effort.</p> <p>A hard and fast personal rule for me is that if a clothing store does not want to sell me clothes, they get none of my money. I will never buy accessories at say Banana Republic / J Crew and so on because they don't make plus sizes.&nbsp; </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you/page/2#post-1504814 Fri, 12 Jun 2015 01:11:21 +0000 Echo 1504814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There are some places where I am much happier to shop and to buy than others. While that DOES leave some retail stones unturned, it is the style of shopping that makes me happiest. Like you mentioned, I have neither the time nor the inclination to sift through large stores with many items I am not interested in - often while plagued with blaring "music" - to find the rose among thorns.</p> <p>When someone recommends an item that seems like it would fit and that I like from a store I don't usually frequent, I will sometimes give it a try. But I am NOT a personal shopper, and I just cannot visit every retail option. I am happy with the places I do shop, and that's what matters to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you/page/2#post-1504802 Fri, 12 Jun 2015 00:41:15 +0000 Sal 1504802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have never been a terribly thorough shopper. &nbsp;I frequent around four chainstores, three or four local independent boutiques and peruse one other online retailer (for clothes only, excluding footwear and gear). &nbsp;I rarely go elsewhere. &nbsp;Occasionally I thrift or ebay shop. &nbsp;</p> <p>Once a year or so I will go shopping for a day in a different city and check out a wide variety of places, and if I am travelling I will browse different places.</p> <p>I may be missing great buys in the other places but I am not too worried.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you/page/2#post-1504778 Fri, 12 Jun 2015 00:11:53 +0000 Dee 1504778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like shopping and don't mind spending an afternoon at the mall or wherever. But I have learned that some stores/brands are rarely if ever going to work for me either due to fit or style. So while I might pop into some different shops if something catches my eye, I spend probably 90% of my shopping time in shops where I know I have a good choice of finding something that will work. </p> <p>I have also lost my patience for dealing with sifting through too many disorganized places like TJMaxx or Winners. I think this is why I struggle with secondhand shops as well, unless I'm out with a friend. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you/page/2#post-1504692 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:59:13 +0000 approprio 1504692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with leaving no stones unturned in principle and I'll always scout out an unlikely option if something catches my eye but in practice I'm very hard to please. And who has time to comb every store every season? </p> <p>On the other hand, I find myself returning over and over to brands that have earned my loyalty and not bothering with those which I know are unlikely to fit. I also value a good B&amp;M shopping experience.&nbsp;I have very little patience with any store that has me fighting crowds to rummage through piles of poorly presented clothing.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504684 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:41:13 +0000 Daria 1504684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm guessing I'm somewhere in between.<br />On one hand, I never dedicated enough time to my wardrobe, to find those perfect 1-2 retailers that "get me". And even if I did find them, I wouldn't be able to shop there exclusively, most likely. So in this sense, I'm still exploring.<br />On the other hand, I don't have time to look for "gems" in stores I usually don't have much success with. I'm slowly learning what brands work for me better (e.g. I'm sized out of some US retailers) and prioritize them while shopping, although I do experiment quite a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504682 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:39:03 +0000 Mander 1504682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also interpret "leave no retail stone unturned" to mean don't dismiss a brand because of preconceptions about the cost, quality, image, etc. That said, I know that there are only a handful of shops here that fit my size and budget, so I rarely look at anything else unless I'm just taking a look at what's in style generally.</p> <p>When I go back home to the US I tend to do a lot more shopping, and look in more stores, because finding clothes that fit me is so much easier. I often start compiling a list of things to look for as soon as I have planned a trip and go shopping with those things in mind. But I always go through every item in my size on the Ross and Marshall's clearance sale racks. I've found many of my favorite items that way! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504672 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:22:00 +0000 Greyscale 1504672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm trying to learn to avoid stores with low success rates. Left to myself I'm like you, Abc, and yes, I'm trying to give myself permission to be less complete.</p> <p>One thing I've noticed is that last year's winning store might be a total washup this year. Zara's minimalist looks last year were great for me, but this year's 70s boho is much less likely to include things I want. So I've mostly stopped going to Zara when I'm at the mall. Next season, it might be totally different. Or, J Crew's attempt to move back into their core market means they're not quite as appealing to me this year (and I'm not shaped like their fit model) whereas BR's new direction lines up with my look and their clothes tend to fit me perfectly.</p> <p>On a tangent - I do really appreciate that different brands have different fit models. With shoes, for instance, I personally need space for my high instep, but I know that would make the shoe a disaster on most people. I'm glad there's some variability out there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504669 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:17:41 +0000 Astrid 1504669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since I've decided to focus more on ethically made clothing, most stores are out for me anyway. It was a bit of a bit of a detox at first not to go there "just to have a look", but now I don't feel very tempted at all anymore. I have really narrowed it down right now to a list of online stores, Ebay for second hand purchases and very few B&amp;M stores... But then I've always found it easy to stop looking when I had found something suitable, it was the way shopping was done in my family growing up. You went to a few stores looking for item xyz and then bought the best version of it you could find and afford. And then used it until it had to be replaced... I'm doing a lot more browsing of options right now than I used to in the past in any case, even just regularly looking at options online. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504662 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:06:02 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1504662@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Linda makes a good point that I agree with- it depends on what you're looking for and how urgent your need is. Most of the time I'm not in a rush for something, since I try to plan and buy ahead, so I'm more willing to search. Plus, I enjoy 'the hunt' (when I have the time / energy). </p> <p>My natural tendency is to be a maximizer and in recent years I've tried to embrace satisficing - a) for my own mental health and b) so that I don't spend all my time on shopping as procrastination from other harder / more fraught projects. </p> <p>Honestly my shopping habits have been so shaped in recent years by living in a highly populated area with lots of stores, and easy returns and free or low cost shipping. I'm sure my behavior would change a lot if any of that changed. </p> <p>To be concrete: I don't go in every store in the mall, but since stores do change, I try to check out a 'new to me' store every few months. For the online ones, I keep a list in my budget / buying file of brands and stores I want to try. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504623 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:35:39 +0000 DonnaF 1504623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My UPS guy would laugh, but I'm not particularly into shopping.&nbsp; I generally restrict my shopping to Nordstrom online, and the retail stone I currently unturn is venturing into Regular (vs. Petite) size clothing.&nbsp; Returns are so easy, and a couple of brands *get* my body.</p> <p>Now, if I need something very particular like a fairly warm spring-like dress to wear to DD's graduation, I am more likely to venture out.&nbsp; I will also unturn stones if I take DD shopping as she is more of a mall rat and tends to shop in stores I tend never to enter on my own.&nbsp; Of course, if we ever have a Bay Area meet-up, I would peruse all stores!&nbsp; I am no doubt missing out on great belts, hosiery, and costume jewelry due to my laziness. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504612 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:06:07 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1504612@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Because I live in the boonies, there are only two local boutiques in my town that I shop at. I don't get most of my clothes there, but try to patronize both because I want them to stay in business.</p> <p>I do like shopping in person, but when I go to a city, I'm usually with family and out for a day or just overnight. Although my husband and my daughter also like shopping, we reach our collective tolerance level at about 2 hours, so there's never enough time to turn over all the stones. We would not do a long drive just to go to a mall and spend the day.</p> <p>So that leaves online. I have a lot of patience for online shopping. I have certain brands that I know are likely to fit me and mesh with my style. When I'm looking for a particular type of thing, say a light blue cross body handbag, or a white linen cardigan, I will often begin my search with polyvore or shopstyle because they gather in so many possibilities -- but given they leave out many as well and have an annoying tendency to feature used designer clothing these days, I don't limit myself. </p> <p>Being in the continental US makes it much easier to find merchants with free/ inexpensive ship and return policies, and since I work from &nbsp;home I have fedex and UPS here all the time anyway for work, so the package back and forth is no big deal.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504611 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:05:44 +0000 Rambling Ann 1504611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, but not all at once!</p> <p>The best example I remember from the forum was Ceit finding her white belt HEWI at Canadian Tire. That was after a long search. When I am traveling and I shop for clothes (which is any time I shop because the nearest mall is 150 miles away), there's no way I'm going to visit every store. It stops being fun real fast. So I have a destination in mind, and make it a goal to try a couple other places or items just for practice. But if I had to buy all my clothes in a few days each year, I wouldn't waste time with low probability retailers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504608 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:00:36 +0000 Liz 1504608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I never thought of Angie's maxim as a command to go and look everywhere. I heard it as a reminder not to rule out a store because it was "too cheap, too expensive, too classic," or whatever.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have decided to leave&nbsp;<i>most&nbsp;</i>retail stones unturned. It's just not worth it to me to find the perfect whatever (for me, that's a recipe for driving myself crazy). I have basically decided to choose the best of what is available to me in B &amp; M and leave it at that. This means I miss out on lots of options and maybe even some bargains that could be had if I were scouring lots of stores and searching the web. But I've decided to be OK with that.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504601 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:39:19 +0000 Jules 1504601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well lately, other than my love of the cheap and cheerful for summer (Old Navy and Joe Fresh for me), I mostly walk into my local boutique 5 minutes' walk from my house, have a nice chat with the owner who is having similar middle-aged body changes as I am, and try a few things she pulls out for me. I usually walk out with something. I'm just not into the hunt these days - it's exhausting, and overall, for me, not that much more effective. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504598 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:38:15 +0000 Anonymous 1504598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Especially for those outside of the US with limited access to US retailers, how do you come to terms with evaluating every option out there vs being content with what you found on this day at this price and being done with it? I suppose for us it's compounded by our limited resource (time) which plays a huge factor in this equation."</p> <p>Well, this is me to a T. &nbsp;And how do I come to terms with it? &nbsp;It was pretty easy , really. I simply am not interested in , nor willing to spend the time necessary to achieve some lofty idea of wardrobe perfection. &nbsp;I don't have the patience, time, energy or headspace for it, especially in huge messy retailers like H&amp;M, Winners, F21 etc etc. &nbsp;For years, my wardrobe came from Club Monaco. I may have looked like a walking advertisement, but I fit their cuts perfectly (at that time) ,was &nbsp;a consistent size, and had the benefit of the Wpg store manager's help in putting aside new pieces as they came in , and I pretty much bought everything she suggested. That is the last period of time (probably 4 years ago now) that I had the perfect closet where everything worked together and everything fit. &nbsp;</p> <p>I DO have the patience and interest in quiet, beautifully decorated and merchandised stores with carefully curated collections. &nbsp;But there are just too few of them in my city . So yes, it's a dichotomy , because I have a deeply ingrained interest, knowledge of and appreciation for style and fashion, but because of where I live, my options are limited. I have other things to do and to think about - like my job, my family, my friends, etc etc - and if my ideal wardrobe isn't happening, then that's just the way it is. &nbsp;</p> <p>I do sometimes go in to stores I don't frequent just out of curiosity, but only if something in the window has caught my eye. &nbsp;Like you, I have a few I rely on , and sometimes it all works, and often it doesn't. &nbsp;It's life. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504595 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:32:25 +0000 rachylou 1504595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I try to only visit one or two places on any given day. It's too much otherwise. Even when traveling. Although, of course, I've never been to the Great Mall of America... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504593 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:29:27 +0000 Peri 1504593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Texstyle...I don't like shopping, so to hit every option would be exhausting and overwhelming.&nbsp;</p> <p>And there has been some study being discussed a lot lately that found that people were happier with their decisions when their options were more limited. In those cases they had a strong feeling of having made the right decision, whereas people given more options felt less satisfied with their choice overall.&nbsp;</p> <p>Makes sense with our cultural preoccupation with FOMO. If you feel you have to check out <u>everything</u>, where does <u>everything</u> stop? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504586 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:20:40 +0000 texstyle 1504586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't enjoy shopping unless I have a focus on something I really want so I usually stick to the stores that "get me." If I'm bored sometimes I shop around online but I don't really enjoy it much at physical stores. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504582 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:16:22 +0000 Anonymous 1504582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It would be nice to have more shopping options. Unfortunately, my fussy feet, not-always-petite size, color and style preferences have narrowed down my shopping options. Searching for quality also limits me. For accessories such as jewelry, though, I'm a lot more open minded about where to shop, though the return policy is still a biggie. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504580 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:13:21 +0000 Elizabeth P 1504580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also leave lots of retail stones unturned.&nbsp; I actually hate to shop, which is why I love the ideas from here, being a lemming, and the online world.&nbsp; Lots of opportunities to browse without having to deal with crowds, pushy SA's, music, etc.&nbsp; Not to mention the time suck!&nbsp; I will pound the pavement if I'm looking for something specific... which I hate, because I can never find it, so end up with a "eh" piece usually.&nbsp; But my wardrobe is big enough that shopping is more about fun expansion pieces than NEEDING to get things.&nbsp; Before the online world was so easy, I used to shop at about three places, twice a year.&nbsp; And if I didn't find anything, I just waited.&nbsp; My how things change!!</p> <p>I think of "leave no retail stone unturned" as permission to shop at Costco </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504579 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:11:39 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 1504579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm the kind of person who 95% of the time can put something on and immediately say "yes!" or "no....".&nbsp; I don't hem and haw.&nbsp; I love it and buy it or don't love it and leave it.&nbsp; So if my usual stores are turning up "yeses" consistently, I don't feel the need to branch out.&nbsp; I wear lots of color, prints, different silhouettes, and do a lot of mixing and matching in my wardrobe from current and past seasons&nbsp;so that I don't really feel that I am in a rut by using the same handful of stores most of the time.&nbsp;If there is something very specific I am looking for and can't find at my usual places, that is when I get to exploring.&nbsp; The other time that I use "leave no retail store unturned" is, as Gaylene said, when something I love turns up at a place I normally wouldn't buy clothing for myself -&nbsp;a place that I've thought of as not my style, or only having cheap fast fashion - those are usually happy accidents and not because I am trying to branch out and try something new.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504571 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 16:46:16 +0000 Thistle 1504571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I give myself permission to leave lots of retail stones unturned.</p> <p>I have little time to&nbsp;shop, and almost all of&nbsp;it is on line. I don't want to take two small children to t he mall, and if DH is gong to take them both for a hour or two, there are SO many things I would rather do than try to squeeze in shopping.</p> <p>As such,&nbsp;I focus my time and effort on stores&nbsp; I know work for me and don't size me out. My favorites are Ann Taylor, Nordstrom's and Talbots, with GAP thrown in for Tess. I may buy the occasional BR or Old Navy piece, usually in a GAP order. Add Zappos and Amazon to that list for shoes. Lands End for winter coats, hats, and gloves.</p> <p>Maybe at a different point in my life I will be more of a mall shopper, but for now, I am happy with where I am. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504568 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 16:34:54 +0000 Alassë 1504568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In your situation, I would definitely give yourself permission to focus shopping on just a handful of stores/chains. You are in a unique situation with unique constraints.</p> <p>To answer your 2nd question, I would do a little planning before you shop. Is there anything you want to try (perhaps from Angie's seasonal trend list), or have you tweaked something in your personal style? I expect that you'll avoid a rut simply by thinking over what you'd like to add to your wardrobe, in addition to replacement of basics. </p> <p>If you don 't find much inspiration, perhaps require yourself to purchase 1 or 2 new/different style direction items every year. These slight changes/experiments may add just enough freshness to your personal style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504565 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 16:31:02 +0000 Gaylene 1504565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I leave HEAPS of retail stones unturned. Generally, I've a pretty clear idea of what I like and where I'm most likely to find it. Most stores target a certain type of customer so I choose the ones that are likely to have what I'm looking for when I go shopping. If I have the time, and I'm walking by a shop that I've heard about, or which looks interesting, I'll pop in for a quick browse just to check it out. Usually, once I'm a few feet in, I can figure out if it's worth checking out the merchandise more thoroughly.</p> <p>I also think staying with a few chosen retailers makes me more adventurous. If I'm heading to the dressing room, I'll often grab a few wildcards on the way. I figure I'm getting undressed anyway, so what's the harm. I'll even encourage the SA to make suggestions if she seems to know her stuff. </p> <p>I've always interpreted Angie's "no stone unturned" motto to mean not to summarily dismiss a store because of preconceptions that may, or may not, be accurate--as opposed to looking through every store in the vicinity. A good example is Talbots. For the first time in years, I went in because the window display looked so colorful compared to the drab look of the Gap next door. I've never fit a Talbot pant, but this year their Perfect Crop, sized down, was perfect and the sea-blue shade was a nice change from Gap's army green and grey versions. I rolled the hems (surprising the other ladies! ) and found my new favourite summer pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504557 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 16:07:52 +0000 Author Linda 1504557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such interesting thoughts, and insights, into your shopping experience!&nbsp;</p> <p>I think we all approach it a bit differently, and even differently at different times or for certain occasions. Mainly, I buy from retailers I know will make my experience pleasant, painless, and/or profitable. By which I mean my time is well-spent because I enjoyed the shopping and found something. Shopping without results is a waste of my time. I don't have a lot left. LOL &nbsp;Well, actually I hope I do--but I don't want to spend it shopping. I want to do other things. What I WANT are lovely clothes to wear while I do them.</p> <p>So for me it comes down to laziness. I don't leave every retailer unturned. I do frequent those which are consistently good at satisfying my fashion sense and urges, i.e. speedy delivery, free shipping and returns, etc.. However, there are times...</p> <p>Sometimes it's good to just mix it up. There are times I visit other retailers just to see if I've been missing something. If I love the experience and the clothes, I add them to the list of stones to be turned. After all, what worked last year or last season may not scratch my itch this season. So it's a matter of staying on top of what's out there. Once I know (or think I know enough), I go back to shopping the usual venues.</p> <p>In other cases, it's because I have a *special* purchase in mind. Dresses often fall into this category. For the perfect dress for a wedding or a summer cruise dress, I will shop every store in the mall, every store online, take the train into the city (I hate driving into the city), and visit boutiques I know exist but are too lazy and time-averse to commit an hour of driving to visit. I only buy a dress or two a year, so for me it's worth the extra effort and expense to find the right dress, the one that fits perfectly (or can be made to fit) and is the right fabric, style, etc.. A tee shirt, pants, jeans, shoes (which I can order so easily online), simply aren't worth all the hoofing. Not to mention I have bad knees and hoofing hurts.</p> <p>One thing I keep in mind is to be thankful I live near a very large city and have tons of shopping easily available. Also, my wardrobe requirements are fairly easy to satisfy, particularly because I can count on wearing things from previous seasons and just like to add a few items to liven up things. Like me. I guess the balancing part is between need and want. If I need something particular or special, then all-out shopping is on the schedule. Otherwise, permission not to hit every retailer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504556 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 16:06:51 +0000 Helena 1504556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For sure abc ... when I go to the mall (rare), I usually hit the Gap trifecta, RW&amp;Co, and maybe H&amp;M if I am looking for some specific (i.e. I have to know what needle I am looking for!).</p> <p>To me the principle of "no retail stone" speaks to "brand snobbery" for want of a better term ... i.e. IF I saw the perfect thing for me at the "wrong" store, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to buy it on the basis of the store it came from. A winning piece from Target is as good as a winning piece from anywhere. That's my interpretation, anyhow Use it how it supports you best, I would say! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leave-no-retail-stone-unturned-vs-shopping-retailers-that-get-you#post-1504555 Thu, 11 Jun 2015 16:06:27 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1504555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read your post with interest, too, abc. I've wondered the same thing about Angie's mantra, "Leave no retail stone unturned." It seems ever so wise to me, and yet I typically do not do it. I often go to the mall and visit only Nordstrom. I practically have blinders on, zeroing in on just my usual stores. The other stores in the mall are just landmarks for me; if I don't walk straight into Nordstrom, I remember where I parked based on what stores I passed to get to Nordstrom. I also go to Eddie Bauer and Loft, once in a great while. <br />That said, I do look at a lot of different stores online. And I go to a lot of different stores when I'm on the hunt for something particular that I haven't found at my usual haunts. <br />This question reminds me of the distinction that MsMary made here on the forum between <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-fashion-satisficer-or-a-fashion-maximizer" rel="nofollow">satisficers and maximizers</a>. I'm more of a satisficer: if I find what I'm looking for and it meets my criteria, I tend to get it and move on, rather than exhausting all possibilities to be sure I got the absolute best option available. </p>